- Carpentaria Shire Council will receive more than $22 million to repair the vital Mitchell River Crossing along Dunbar Koolatah Road
- The project is jointly funded by the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) under the 2021-22 Betterment Fund
- The route is also crucial for tourist traffic and community connectivity to north-west Queensland.
The Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments have worked together to provide Carpentaria Shire Council $22 million in DRFA funding, to repair the Mitchell River Crossing.
Dunbar Koolatah Road has been closed since December 2022. The crossing links rural properties between Koolatah and Maramie to business centres such as Normanton and Mareeba.
The closure has also severely impacted freight in the region, particularly livestock transport that currently needs to deviate more than three hours.
With the number of disasters experienced in Queensland each year predicted to rise, betterment support will rebuild infrastructure to a stronger, more resilient standard.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
"The closure of Dunbar Koolatah Road is proving especially challenging right now for livestock transport providers, adding three hours to their travel time as they use an alternate route," Minister Watt said.
"Repairing this crossing to a more resilient standard will be a huge boost for the region, especially local cattle properties and FNQ communities like Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Aurukun and Weipa.
"Betterment funding allows disaster-impacted councils to get on with their flood recovery efforts, with investments like this helping minimise future damage to essential public assets."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles:
"Flood damage continues to be assessed across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula regions, following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall which began in late December last year.
"Many remote and regional communities across Queensland are still feeling the impact of these floods, compounded by last year's heavy monsoon season," Mr Miles said.
"Through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, we will continue to support projects like this to ensure the safety and welfare of our most isolated Queenslanders."
Quotes attributable to Carpentaria Shire Council Mayor Jack Bawden:
"The level of funding provided through DRFA will ensure a new crossing will be constructed that will allow road movements to continue much earlier than has occurred in past years.
"This funding is a game-changer for road users within this part of the council area, and our rural landowners in the Mitchell River area will be very pleased with this funding announcement also," Mayor Bawden said.
